古き良き時代の昭和レトロ自転車を甦らせています。
昭和20年代～30年代国産の軽快車・実用車・運搬車の黄金時代。
当時は2ヶ月分の給料、「一家・一台・一生」の時代、謹製自転車の研究。 Emaiｌ: showajitensha@hotmail.co.jp They don't make them like they used to. This blog is dedicated to the research, restoration and preservation of bicycles from before during and just after the 1950's, a period when bicycles cost two months' salary; an age when each household had a single "the family" bicycle built to last a lifetime; a time when Japanese craftsmen and women poured their hearts into humbly producing art on wheels.

2013年1月20日 (日)

Yamaguchi Bicycle (Photos)

次回、この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

S-san from Niigata, who recently sent in photos of his Nozawa bicycle, also sent in photos of his Yamaguchi bicycle. This model is pronounced MARU WAI GO (マルワイ号） in Japanese.

Yamaguchi Bicycle Company is one of the more well-known bicycle manufacturers of the 1950's. The history of Yamaguchi bicycles spanned nearly half a century from 1914 - 1963. The company produced motorcycles starting in 1953 until it went bankrupt and was absorbed by Marubeni Corporation and the brand renamed Marubeni-Yamaguchi in 1963.

One clear sign that this bicycle is from the early to mid 1950's is the abundant use of ornate gold transfers. Upon closer examination, the use of old style KANJI in the transfers further supports that this bicycle is clearly from the early-mid 1950's.

The abundant use of badges is also a solid indicator of early-mid 1950's bicycles, especially a badge halfway down the seat tube.

At the top of the photo below we can see a heavy duty chrome plated generator.In the center of the photo is a large rear wheel lock complete with the CW logo.Also, note the color of the rubber blocks for the pedals, and, the oil filler cap on the rear of the chaincase.